The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 was launched with immense national pride and cinematic energy, featuring the powerful entry of ‘Kakori,’ a new film directed by Kamlesh K. Mishra. The short film serves as a centenary tribute to the legendary Kakori Rail Action of 1925, a pivotal and audacious act in India’s freedom struggle.
Director Kamlesh K. Mishra addressed the press, describing Kakori as “a film carved out of fire and sacrifice.” He emphasized the enduring relevance of the event, where four revolutionaries were martyred within forty-eight hours.
“Their bravery and sacrifice still thunders through the generations. With the centenary arriving on 9th August 2025, it felt like history itself nudged us to retell this story—with honesty, grit, and a whole lot of emotion,” Kamlesh K. Mishra stated.
The film traces the true story of the Hindustan Republican Association’s (HRA) daring plan to seize British treasury funds from a train. The heist was led by iconic figures, including Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Chandrasekhar Azad, and their comrades.
The film is the result of meticulous research, which involved delving into archival books, weathered newspapers, consulting eminent historians, and visiting poignant memorials in locations like Shahjahanpur.
Mishra explained that the team was dedicated to honoring every historical fact with honesty and precision. The project, which began as a documentary, evolved into a fully immersive cinematic experience. The key challenge, Mishra noted, was “condensing such a monumental chapter of history into a visually compelling thirty-minute narrative—while preserving its emotional resonance and historical gravitas.”
Producer Jaswinder Singh praised the commitment of the cast for breathing life into the revolutionaries, calling the film their tribute to the freedom fighters’ indomitable spirit.
Key Highlights:
- IFFI Opening Highlight: The 56th IFFI 2025 featured the powerful entry of ‘Kakori,’ a 31-minute Hindi film directed by Kamlesh K. Mishra.
- Centenary Tribute: The film is a centenary tribute to the legendary Kakori Rail Action of 1925, a pivotal event in India’s freedom struggle led by revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan.
- Meticulous Production: Director Kamlesh K. Mishra emphasized the extensive research involved, including consulting historians and archives, to ensure historical accuracy, transforming the project from a documentary concept into a visually compelling cinematic experience.
- Themes: The film explores themes of youthful courage, unwavering patriotism, comradeship, and sacrifice against the turbulent backdrop of 1920s British India.